Drywall Robots

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Whether you’re remodeling or completing a new build, you’ve probably had to work with drywall.

And if drywall makes you want to climb the walls, we have great news: drywall robots are coming onto the market!

These machines are revolutionizing the construction industry, offering contractors a powerful new tool to improve efficiency, quality, and safety on job sites. This technology is transforming the way drywall installation and finishing is performed, providing numerous benefits for construction professionals.

Drywall Robot Advantages

Increased Efficiency: Drywall robots can significantly reduce the time required for finishing tasks. For example, the Canvas robot can complete a drywall finishing job in just two days, compared to the traditional five-day process. This dramatic reduction in cycle time allows contractors to maintain tighter schedules and complete projects faster.

Consistent Quality: Robotic systems deliver highly consistent results, ensuring a uniform finish across large areas. The Canvas robot, for instance, can achieve a Level 5 finish, the highest rating on the Gypsum Association’s scale. This level of consistency is difficult to achieve manually, especially over extensive surfaces.

Enhanced Safety: Drywall work often involves repetitive motions and exposure to dust, which can lead to injuries and respiratory health issues. Robots can reduce these risks by handling the most physically demanding aspects of the job. For example, Canvas’s robot captures 99.9% of dust during sanding, creating a safer work environment for your crew.

Labor Shortage Solution: With the construction industry facing significant labor shortages, robots can help fill the gap. They allow contractors to complete projects on time with fewer workers, while still maintaining consistent quality and high productivity.

How Drywall Robots are Used

Finishing: Robots like the Canvas system can apply joint compound, sand surfaces, and even perform taping operations. They use precision spraying techniques to apply material evenly and efficiently.

Installation: Some robots, like the HRP-5P humanoid robot, are being developed to handle drywall installation tasks, including lifting and positioning panels.

Multi-Surface Work: Advanced robots can work on walls, ceilings, and hard-to-reach areas, with some models capable of reaching heights up to 17 feet.

Various Project Types: As the technology continues to develop, drywall robots are becoming more commonly available for a wide range of construction projects, including commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, multifamily residential complexes, and more.

Why Drywall Robots are a Good Option for Contractors

Competitive Advantage: By leveraging this new technology, contractors can deliver projects faster and with higher quality, giving them an edge in the market.

Cost Efficiency: While the initial investment is significant (most models cost between $40,000 – $60,000 per robot), the increased speed and reduced labor requirements can lead to cost savings over time.

Workforce Development: Integrating robots into the workflow creates opportunities for workers to develop new skills in operating and maintaining advanced equipment, and can allow for fewer workers to get more done in the same amount of time.

Improved Working Conditions: By reducing physical strain and exposure to dust, robots can help create a more attractive work environment, potentially aiding in worker retention and recruitment.

Scalability: Robotic systems allow contractors to take on larger projects or multiple jobs simultaneously without proportionally increasing their workforce. 

At Steadfast, we’re thrilled to see drywall robots making their way into the heavy equipment market.  As these systems continue to evolve and become more widely adopted, they have the potential to transform the drywall trade, offering contractors a powerful tool to enhance productivity, quality, and safety on their projects.

While challenges in implementation and training exist, the benefits of drywall robots make them an increasingly attractive option for forward-thinking contractors looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.

Robots on the Rise

Posted by Steadfast Entities on

Amazon’s Innovation

Amazon broke new ground last month when they introduced the first-ever fully autonomous mobile robot at several of their facilities. The robots, named Proteus, were developed to move heavy, wheeled transports called GoCarts around their fulfillment and sorting centers. Amazon has been working on this technology since 2012 and, according to their company blog, hopes that Proteus will “help reduce the need for people to manually move heavy objects through our facility and instead let them focus on more rewarding work”. 

Robots on the Rise

While Proteus is the first robot of its kind that can move around actively working employees, the use of robots in construction, warehouses, and many other sectors isn’t new. In fact, 2021 was a banner year for industrial robot orders, with companies around the country ordering 39,708 units (up 14% from the previous high in 2017). Those numbers are expected to continue to climb, as many industries are using robotics in the face of worker shortages to complete repetitive tasks that their human counterparts don’t want to do.

Robots in Construction

Along with solving labor shortage issues, robotic technology is helping combat the housing crisis. Automation has allowed increased flexibility, productivity, and efficiency in manufacturing, which can clearly be seen in the construction of manufactured homes. Many of the building components for these homes are now built off-site, allowing them to be mass produced. On site, automated welding is making the process faster and completed with fewer errors. In some cases, 3D printers are now used to build both customized building components and the buildings themselves. 

As industry standards change and builders are facing increased environmental regulation, robots have the added benefit of making worksites more sustainable. Studies show that up to 25% of materials brought to a jobsite ends up wasted. The use of robotics improves consistency and quality, reducing that waste. With the ever-increasing cost of supplies, this sustainability is good for both the planet and the pocket as it saves companies money, from reduced material costs, and time, from faster operations. 

Robots are also making job sites safer. About 108,000 worksite fatalities occur every year worldwide, and construction workers are 4x more likely to have a fatal accident than other industries. 

As shown by Amazon’s Proteus, one way robots can help prevent worker injury is by carrying heavy loads. They can also get into spaces that are unsafe for human workers, and can be used for repetitive tasks that commonly lead to worker injuries over time. Industry leaders are hopeful that this increased safety will entice young people to consider careers in construction, as many are hesitant to go into such a dangerous field.

A Robotic Future

Urbanization, climate change, and a shortage of workers have made the integration of robotics into the construction industry essential. In a May 2021 study, 81% of company leaders said they would invest in robotics and other automation within the next 10 years. 

At Steadfast Enterprises, LLC, you can be sure that we’ll continue to use the most efficient, up-to-date equipment, and continue our focus on sustainability and quality. Learn more about our technology-forward equipment rental and sales here.